2024-07-11 21:20:17
The population of the European Union has increased by about 1.6 million people in 2023. This is according to Eurostat data published today (July 11), when World Humanity Day is celebrated.
The EU’s population increased for the second year in a row after falling in 2020 and 2021. The main reason for the negative trend then was the increase in mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic, the European statistical agency points out.
As of January 1, 2023, approximately 447.6 million people live in the countries of the European Union, and as of January 1, 2024 – 449.2 million.
The negative natural population change (more deaths than births) is offset by positive net migration, notes Eurostat.
The population of Bulgaria decreased by 2229 people (0.03 percent) in 2023, according to the data of the European Statistical Agency. As of December 31, 2021, the population of our country was 6,445,481 people, according to NSI data.
Malta was the country in the EU with the smallest population (563,443), and Germany – with the largest (83.4 million people).
In 7 of the countries of the European Union, a decrease in the number of the population was registered between January 1, 2023 and the beginning of 2024. It was most significant in Poland (-132,800 people), Greece (-16,800 people) and Hungary (-15,100 people).
In 20 countries, population growth was recorded during this period. It was the largest in Spain (+525,100 people), Germany (+330,000), France (+229,000 people).